“Showers of hail, sleet and snow will occur, with moderate accumulations to lower levels inland, more significant amounts on high ground, where there’s a risk of drifting and blizzard conditions at times. Some scattered thunderstorms also.”

A less severe Yellow snow-ice Warning has been issued for Munster, Leinster, Galway and Roscommon until 6pm Friday.

A Status Yellow marine warning was also issued Thursday for all Irish coastal waters and the Irish Sea.

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Today has been a day to wrap up warm and stay by the fire as there were scattered showers with some sleet and snow, particularly in Ulster, Connacht and west Munster.

As the mercury was expected to fall as low as -1C there was a risk of frost and icy patches.

Anyone hoping to enjoy the great outdoors Friday should be warned that snow joke, things are expected to get even chillier.

Friday will start of bright, with sunny spells in most parts but there will be scattered showers, mostly of rain, hail and sleet.

There will be snow mainly on high ground and things will get even colder overnight.

A Met Eireann spokeswoman said: “Cold and frosty after dark, with some icy patches. “Lowest temperatures plus 2 to -2 C., coldest in the eastern half of the country, where the frost will be sharp or severe.

“Cloud will increase in Atlantic coastal counties later in the night and temperatures will rise there.”